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Oklahoma City Thunder: Report card on Andre Roberson

Defense: A- – At his exit interview, Roberson recalled a rough start up in Toronto, when DeMar Derozen abused Roberson on his way to a big night. But that was really his only lackluster defensive performance. When Thabo Sefolosha was out, Roberson was inserted as the defensive stopper and he produced, slowing the likes of Kyle Korver, Kobe Bryant and Jodie Meeks. Disruptive on the perimeter and energized at all times, Roberson is already a plus-defender in this league.

OKC's Andre Roberson, right, looks to score while being defended by Denver's Damion James during a game earlier this season.
Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

Shooting: D – It’s tough to be a shooting guard in the NBA with no threat of a shot. Roberson is trying to develop one, hoisting it up when he’s left wide open, working on it after practice and vowing to reconstruct it over the summer. And he better. Using an awkward, herky-jerky motion, Roberson went 2-of-13 from three this season, airmailing a few, drilling the side of the backboard a couple times and looking hesitant to take others. His glaring flaw

Off-ball offense: B – Despite his shooting deficiencies, Roberson can be an effective offensive player, particularly if his defender isn’t keeping a watchful eye. Roberson is relentless on the offensive glass and a dynamite backdoor cutter. Russell Westbrook drilled him with a variety of on-point passes in their brief time together this season. Westbrook: “His basketball IQ is high. He does a great job of reading me and as long as he continues to do that, it’s going to be easy buckets for him.”

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by Anthony Slater

Thunder Beat Writer

Anthony Slater started on the Thunder beat in the summer of 2013, joining after two years as NewsOK.com's lead sports blogger and web editor. A native Californian, Slater attended Sonoma State for two years before transferring to Oklahoma State in...